Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate

Polyglyceryl-10 dipalmitate is a nonionic emulsifier/emollient typically used at low percentages (about 0.5–5%) to stabilize creams and improve skin feel. As a large, non-volatile fatty ester/sugar-derived surfactant, it has low penetration and is generally well-tolerated in patch testing with irritation uncommon. I’m scoring it as very gentle rather than exceptionally gentle because any emulsifier can occasionally trigger stinging in severely barrier-impaired or eczema-prone skin when used repeatedly in leave-on routines. Safety Notes: Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate is a nonionic emulsifier/consistency agent most often used at low levels (~0.1–1%) in leave-on creams/lotions and serums to stabilize O/W emulsions and improve slip. In richer anhydrous/balm-like or high-lipid barrier creams and cleansing creams, commercial products commonly use it in the 2–5% range as a primary structurant/emulsifier, with some high-structure OTC formulations reaching about 8% when it is carrying much of the emulsification/texture load. There are no specific EU/FDA concentration caps for this ingredient in cosmetics; practical upper limits are typically driven by viscosity, waxy feel, and phase/stability considerations rather than regulation.